Guild Wars 2

We’re quickly approaching x-mas, which, I believe, will involve a large number of new players shortly afterward. This is awesome, as more players eventually means more content, more stuff to do, and more stuff to explore.

However, the way current dungeon content is designed, those same new players will have an extremely hard time experiencing dungeons. First of all, story mode dungeons are virtually impossible to get groups for unless you’re in a large, established guild. These large, established guilds are very unlikely (due in part to the guild member cap) to have much interest in recruiting brand new players, so story mode dungeons, the only in-game way to get any insights at all into the members of Destiny’s Edge, are basically locked away from those players (Yes, with enough persistence, it can be made to happen, but I don’t think most people are willing to spend more time getting a group than it takes to run a dungeon mode that, let’s face it, has pretty lackluster rewards).

Then we have fractals. Once again, unless you have been running them non-stop since the release of Lost Shores, you are behind the curve. Being behind the curve is exactly what I had hoped that GW2’s design philosophy would prevent. Very few players who are on T4 fractals have any desire whatsoever to run a level 1, so players who did not start grinding in FotM from the first day have been, in essence, locked out of this content, as finding anyone who is willing to run L1 fractals is extremely difficult, let alone a full group.

I do not believe that this design philosophy is in line with the Manifesto. I also do not believe that this fracturing of the community was Arenanet’s intention, but it is the result.

I don’t think the damage is irreparable, and I’m not planning on quitting or anything so drastic (I still love the game), but I do think that a rework of these systems is absolutely necessary in order for the game to continue growing and thriving.

Just my $0.02.

Since there is going to be a large amount of new players, won’t they group with each other?

You don’t need a big guild… a small one will be just as good. It is not the quantity of the members that matter here, but if those that are there are friendly and helpful enough to accept and help newcomers.
Personally I will rather help out a newcomer with storymode dungeon low level fractals or whatnot… than proceed at the higher levels with all the elitist. Just my opinion.
There are nice people out there, that will help. Not everyone is only thinking of their own progression.
I for one know that if I get new members in my guild that is not as far as me in regards to dungeons, I will help if I have the time. And I expect my members to be the same.

Karizee.8076:

Since there is going to be a large amount of new players, won’t they group with each other?

A fair question. However, in my experience, when you have an influx of new players in virtually any MMO, they tend to gravitate towards more experienced players/guilds.

Antitheist.5306:

Karizee.8076:

Since there is going to be a large amount of new players, won’t they group with each other?

A fair question. However, in my experience, when you have an influx of new players in virtually any MMO, they tend to gravitate towards more experienced players/guilds.

Then it’s more their fault for choosing to do that than how the dungeons are set up.

Oh I’m sure there will be some all-purpose recruiting guilds for those precious new players if there are enough of them.

Whether or not those guilds have staying power or a genuine feel to them is another matter.

You forgot that the economy will kitten them. Impossible for new players to afford bank or inventory slots.